September 30, 2023
by Elizabeth Pratt
Rates of prolonged grief disorder are likely to be higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers from the UK found that rates of prolonged grief disorder are already three times higher than pre pandemic.
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July 24, 2020
by Elizabeth Pratt
More than one million Americans have lost a close relation due to COVID-19, and that number is likely to rise.
An analysis from the University of Southern California found that on average, for every COVID-19 death, there are nine people left to grieve. These include parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses and children.
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As we enter this world as an infant, we grow, we learn, we get older, and we eventually die. It’s the natural order of life. One does not know when he or she will die or how he or she will die, yet we know that day is coming. For some individuals that day comes sooner than later as it did for Bobbi Kristian Brown. On July 26, 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown the only child from pop icon Whitney Houston and R&B Singer Bobby Brown died that Sunday night. She was 22 years of age.
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Paris' Pont des Arts bridge famous for its "love locks" is facing structural damage under the weight of so much love. The city of love's bridge has been a space for thousands around the world to mark their love with a lock, while then throwing the key into the River Seine. Throwing the key further symbolized the testament to love and commitment. Recently, the historical Pont des Arts bridge has been in danger of crumble as the heavy locks bare too much weight for the structure to hold. June of last year was the first scare as a five foot section of the bridge's rail collapsed from the weight of the locks. Now local protestors are showing their own love for the bridge as they ignite their "no love lock" campaign. Paris officials are listening, as the city plans to immediately remove over 45 tons of locks. It is ironic that a tradition that promoted love and commitment now puts a beloved landmark in danger of demise. What will the loss of such a culturally rooted tradition mean for the city of love and it's hundreds of thousands of tourists?
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Rehoming. Disruption. Dissolution. These terms have been tossed around flippantly, often used interchangeably, in the news lately. However, they each encompass very different meanings and have different implications in the world of adoption. This month, Arkansas State Representative Justin Harris and his wife Marsha continually made headlines for rehoming their two adopted daughters to a friend they knew for years. This ‘friend’ eventually raped one of the girls (Arkansas State Representative, 2015).
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November 13, 2014
by Marti Wormuth, MA
One of the most difficult things to deal with in life is losing someone that you love. But when they take their own life in some way, the suffering becomes that much worse for those left behind. Questions go through your mind and you aren't totally sure how to deal with it. And that's okay - it's hard to be the people that are left behind from such a painful experience. International Survivors of Suicide Day is November 15th, and this day is to help people realize that they are not alone in this journey, and that they do not need to feel afraid.
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July 12, 2014
by Christie Hunter
Grief refers to the physical, behavioral, and emotional reactions to a loss. Many people regard it as illness; however, it is a struggle that involves a feeling of emptiness (Perreault, 2011). According to the Grief Index of 2003 Survey report, the cost of grieving employees born by US businesses was nearly $74 billion a year.These hidden costs are not just the loss of a single business; in reality, it damages the economy and society.
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March 17, 2014
by LuAnn Pierce, LCSW
Grief is inevitable for those of us who choose to love. As difficult as the death of a loved one may be, our ability to cope with emotional distress can lessen the burden. As parents, one of your jobs is to help kids learn to cope, and how to think.
FB- Children don't naturally understand loss, difficult life situations, or the grieving that accompanies them. LuAnn Pierce, LCSW, explains the ways you can help your child cope during these times.
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When a loss hits you, people are at a loss as to what to do, what to say, how to help. If you yourself have suffered a loss what did you most need from others? Think about how you wanted people to respond and ask yourself if that would fit in the current scenario. If you have not suffered a loss, ask yourself the same question, if it did happen what would you like from others.
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February 17, 2014
by LuAnn Pierce, LCSW
When trauma affects one person in a family, the whole family unit is affected. In fact, many professionals believe that anything that affects one person in a family (or couple) will also affect the other(s). It is easy to see how this could happen. A family is thought of a unit – one whole made of many parts.
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